Recordpub.com - Obama pushes reform: Seeks support for health bill during Ohio visit

By Ben Feller

Associated Press

STRONGSVILLE — With a fresh sense of urgency, President Barack Obama sought to reassure seniors Monday about health care legislation approaching a final vote in Congress, pledging it would make preventive care cost-free and close a gap in Medicare prescription drug coverage.

“This proposal adds almost a decade of solvency to Medicare,” Obama said in a visit to a senior center.

Obama’s trip to Ohio marked his third out-of-town foray as he tries to build support for long-stalled legislation to remake the health care system. Administration officials have predicted the legislation will clear the House by the end of the week, but Democratic leaders had not yet released the measure as the president’s helicopter lifted off from the White House grounds.

Even so, the House Budget Committee arranged a mid-afternoon meeting to begin a series of events expected to culminate in a House vote within days.

Guests aboard Air Force One included Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich, the local congressman, who voted against the administration-backed health care bill that cleared the House late last year.

There was no word on whether Obama lobbied for his vote en route to Ohio. But shortly after the president began his public remarks, someone in the crowd yelled, “Vote yes,” to Kucinich.

“Did you hear that, Dennis?” the president said with a smile. “Go ahead, say that again,” he encouraged the voice in the audience.

“Vote yes!” came back the reply.

Obama asked Congress more than a year ago to approve legislation that extends health coverage to tens of millions who lack it, curb industry practices such as denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions, and begin to slow the growth of health care nationally.

Legislation seemed to be on the cusp of passage in January, after both houses approved bills and lawmakers began working out a final compromise. But those efforts were sidetracked when Republicans won a special election in Massachusetts, and with it, the ability to block a vote on a final bill in the Senate.

Now, nearly two months later, lawmakers have embarked on a two-step approach that begins with the House approving the Senate-passed measure, despite misgivings on key provisions. That would be followed by both houses quickly passing a second bill that makes numerous changes to the first.

The House Budget Committee took the first step Monday, voting 21-16 for fast-track rules. Two Democrats broke with the party on the largely party-line vote — Allen Boyd of Florida and Chet Edwards of Texas. Both voted against the health care bill last year.

In the Senate, that second bill would come to a vote under rules that deny Republicans the ability to filibuster.

“We need courage,” Obama said, adopting a line from an audience member that was directed at skittish Democrats.

A close vote is expected in the House, where a senior lawmaker said the leadership does not yet have enough support to pass the measure. Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., the party’s whip, also said he was confident the bill would ultimately pass, and later identified four lawmakers who voted against the legislation once but could switch sides in the coming days.

Republicans, determined to kill the bill, immediately highlighted the four — Reps. Jason Altmire of Pennsylvania, Brian Baird of Washington state, John Boccieri of Ohio and Bart Gordon of Tennessee, while also noting Obama’s earlier statement that elections will sort out political winners and losers. It was a none-too-subtle warning that any supporters of the bill can expect a tough challenge in the fall.

Baird and Gordon have announced plans to retire.

There was evidence the White House and Democratic leadership were making headway in their lobbying. Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., who supported strict abortion limits when the bill cleared the first time, said he was prepared to vote for the revised measure even though the same limitations will not be included.

And at least one Republican said it was unlikely the GOP could stop the legislation.

“I’m less confident we can now that it’s just down to flipping a few Democrats. They’d have to be remarkable people not to fall under the kind of pressure they’ll be under,” Sen. Jim DeMint told reporters in South Carolina.

Obama traveled to the hometown of Natoma Canfield, a cancer victim who wrote the president that she gave up her health insurance after the cost rose to $8,500 a year. Obama repeatedly has cited that letter from a self-employed cleaning worker who lives in the Cleveland suburb to illustrate the urgency of the massive overhaul.

Canfield’s sister, Connie Anderson, introduced Obama at that event. She received a hug from the president at the conclusion of her remarks.

“I know we’ve got some seniors with us today,” said the president, his jacket off and shirt sleeves rolled up. “So let me just tell you directly: this proposal adds almost a decade of solvency to Medicare.”

He said it also would close a gap in prescription drug coverage know as a doughnut hole. “This proposal will over time help reduce the costs of Medicare that you pay every month. And this proposal would make preventive care free so you don’t have to pay out-of-pocket for tests that keep you healthy.”

Obama did not discuss details, but officials have said the gap in prescription drug coverage would close over a decade.

Protesters arrived hours early, lining several blocks leading to the senior center. They stood in a light drizzle, waved to passing vehicles and held signs including “Don’t stick me with your Obamacare,” “Start over,” and one decorated with 12 skull and crossbones and the message, “Obama care, it’s to die for.”

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Associated Press writer Thomas J. Sheeran in Strongsville, Ohio, and Seanna Adcox in Columbia, S.C., contributed to this report.

26.	Posted by Vydunas March 17, 2010
	OK, Kent, you get points for playing. "The Commerce Clause" has been used as the excuse for almost anything the Federal government has wanted to do, with the nadir coming with Wickard v. Filburn. One could doubtless use the Filburn "logic" to claim that if I get sick in Ohio and am treated in Ohio, but the medical equipment was made elsewhere, my treatment is somehow part of interstate commerce. It's pretty clear that, while the intent of the CC was to keep states from using tariffs and other trade barriers against each other, the courts have been interpreting that expansively for a century at least. It may be wrong, but that train left the station long ago. Similar things can be said about the 10th Amendment argument (which the FactCheck people don't really rebut) I also enjoyed this: "Mark Hall, professor of law and public health at Wake Forest University's law school, writes that there is no fundamental right to be uninsured.". If there is "no right to be uninsured", it is because insurance doesn't exist in a state of nature, and thus there is also "no right to be insured" and thus no right to health care. As for the Takings Clause, if I believe with justification that I don't need health insurance (because I'm young and healthy, or independently wealthy), then forcing me to buy it would be a taking because I've had to spend money on something which is useless to me. In the real world, what is unconstitutional is what the Supremes say is unconstitutional, and that fat lady hasn't sung yet. It was a fundamental design flaw to have the foxes choose who will guard the henhouse. The clear intent and language of the Constitution mean nothing in the face of precedent. Is it time to retire the "g-d piece of paper", since we aren't using it anymore? Maybe.

21.	Posted by averagejoe5 March 16, 2010
	Here is the reason not to pass healthcare: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aefEk5LVirs If she can't explain what's in it how can she vote it in? Healthcare reform is historic. They want their name on the legislation. This bill is not the platform on which Obama ran. There will still be 22M people uncovered. Their plan is to just force the people to buy insurance. They should just do that now. Do we need to reform our system? Yes. Are we ready? No. What we need to do is elect out all of the current incumbants and let a new congress develope a bill that cuts costs and is fair to all Americans. The reason we are in the economic cluster**** we are in now is because our govt passes a law and doesn't follow through. It becomes corupt, people take advantage of it, it is usually passed to benefit special interest groups in society. The bill isn't finished. Finish it so that we the people know exactly what is in it so that we aren't put on the hook rescuing it later like we did the S&L's and the insurance companies. This bill isn't right for all of America just like what happened with the bank and housing crash caused by the irresponsible liftng of regulations, caused by our govt. If I tried to sell you a car by promising you how good the tires are and not describing anything else would you buy it? Only a moron would. If this bill is passed without it being finished then our govt and the citizens that support an unfinished piece of legislation that will cost our future generation trillions are complete morons and they deserve what they get. Let them explain to their kids how they ruined our country.

20.	Posted by factualinfo March 16, 2010
	KS - thanks for continually fueling the "us" and "them" mentality that is the cause of most of our current problems. Yes, Republicans are at fault for playing politics but try and be honest and realize that the Democrats are doing it too. As an Independent, I think both sides should be ashamed of their behavior. As "we", the American Public, I hope we can try and pull our influence and contact our congressmen/senators and pressure them to do the right thing, regardless of their political affiliation. Of course we need health care reform but not this type of reform. The idea of passing it and then trying to work out the kinks is ridiculous. Congress has never been able to "fix" one of their government run programs once it is in place. Have they fixed the wasteful spending, fraud, curruption and general poor management of the VA hospitals or the medicaid system or medicare program?? How about they start there and then if they can manage it on this smaller level, MAYBE we consider letting them do it on a national level. Ask vets waiting for treatment who can't get it because of the long waiting lists or lack of actual doctors working (even though many of these same doctors log in hours they never work). They will tell you that a government run healthcare facility doesn't work very well for them. And what happens to all the people who will now be required to carry insurance. Most of them are so maxed out financially they can't even begin to understand how to pay for healthcare. Is that our fault/problem, no BUT the reality is that the economic fall out of these people having to come up with monthly payments will lead to less money in the economy and effect many businesses. Then let's talk about the small business owner that will likely go bankrupt over the healthcare insurance for their employees. I know, one of those "kinks" they will need to work out but I'm guessing that once these small business owners are out of business they won't care about how long it takes for Congress to work out the kinks.